The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1887-10-28

he true Now VT have DO foncneS-
for differing with the Chronicle on
all possible occasions or with any
other paper, But upon the contrary
we regret exceedingly that we are so
often out Of harmony with the
brethren Of the press. How can We
agree with the Chronicle, when that
parer is an a:dclt civil service re-
former, 7 believer in prohibition,
believer in the al clifton Of the In
ternd revenue, CLEVER in the
Blair bill. 8 believer in eGuca' e the
negro 10y taxation upon the property
IF the whites Of the State, and wants
John G. Carlisle defeated for spt ak
er Of the next House. AS TO who Is
right we shall not decide, nor does
It matter because the Chronicle has
as much right to its opinion and T."
express them as we have. Brother
Daciels said he would enlighten u
on the Supreme Court decislon,
which he thinks stands in the way
of the free schools. We read his
Article very carefully, tut failed to
get any new light. He thinks tie
decision in the case OF Barksdale
against the commissioners OF
Samson wrong. We think
it right. He thinks judge
Mcrrimon Who d,ssented right and
the court wror e. The constitution
is the guide and test in that case.
TGe constitution says that the take
% one hundred dollars worth OF pro
perty shall never exceed 6G3 cents.
Tue commissioners of Samson said
it should aud levied more than that
amount Oh the hundred dollars.
Barbsdale declined to pay it, and
erjolned its collection. The gu
preme court said Barksdale was
right and the mmssione!s werC
wrong. The court declared that tho
constitutional limitation could not
be excet ded for school purposes mol
for any other purposes. Judge
MerrimOn like friend Daniels
Thought tie constitution nothing
more than cob web or rope o
sand, when it stood between the tax
payer and the progressive Demo
cratic educational crarAs. We thiuk
! that We had bettar never have an
other free school in the State, if Tie
constitutional limitation must be
broken down in order to have
schools. This is our only protection
from the dangers of corrupt legis
latures, from confscation by the
pow erfuI and corrupt. The consttu
tisn Is our shield and helmet, GU
only hope, our refuge from tyrrany
and oppression. If it can be violated
10y tue Supreme court or any othe
power for school purposes, il can b.
violated for any other purpose tC
gre titN the WhimS and desires o
tue extrasagant and corrupt.
Now if brother Daniels had beer
opposed to any other taxation iol
| schools like we are he would take
q tferent view of tue decision re-
terred to. He would think the cour
right ana Judge MerrImon wrong n.
we do.
Now brother you have not SHED
any hight on our henighted under
| standing. There is 10 decision stand
lag IL the way of Tree schools.I 1T is The
constitution standing like IN impas
sible mountain between the confs
caters and the tax-uayers. 1t is the
accumulated will of North Carolln,
expressed In the form of organic
law. And inst cad of grumbllDg
growing, and complaining about til,
decision We ought all to- greatly re
Jolce and be exceedingly glad tha
tle judges Of the highest tribunal II
the State POSSESS the manhoui, viz
Tue and courage TO declare the Law
as t IS written, lnStea of u~urDi d..
functions and exercising power,
never de!rg ted, Or granted. If till,
instrument can he twisted and
stretched Ike GUYS shirt to fl
every mans notions amt satist,
every mans whims then it cons
titutt S no rule Of action and is q,
! shield and delrnse to the people.
Republican Supreme court once ex
hausted its powers under this sau.'
instrument and allowed hundreds @
our best citizens to languish in jail
This was done by riding rough s!oe
over the constitution, Now som
would have the Democratic court t,
pursua The opposite direction an,
consider the constitution an India
rubber sheet to cover all kinds of ne,
fangle schemes Of extravaganza an'
plumber Of overzealous devotees an,